Salam is known for his anti-Israel positions (French)
The Israeli aggression against Gaza cast a shadow over the new formation of the International Court of Justice, as it was announced yesterday, Tuesday, that Lebanese judge Nawaf Salam had been elected as its president, while Ugandan Julia Sibutende was chosen as his deputy.
Salam has been a member of the court since February 2018 and previously served as Lebanon's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations from 2007 to 2017.
Salam is expected to continue in this position for 3 years, according to a press release published by the court, which is headquartered in The Hague.
Lebanese judge Nawaf Salam is known for his anti-Israel positions.
International Court judges previously considered a lawsuit from South Africa accusing Israel of committing genocide in Gaza (European)
It is noteworthy that South Africa recently filed a lawsuit before international justice accusing the Israeli occupation army of committing genocide in Gaza.
Israeli media reported that Nawaf Salam had previously made anti-Israel statements. Comments were made against his selection as president of the court.
In contrast, Ugandan judge Julia Sibutende - who sided with Israel in the South African case - was appointed deputy president of the court for a period of 3 years.
Judge Sibutinde, the first African woman to be elected to the International Court of Justice, became famous for her pro-Israel stance alongside Israeli judge Aharon Barak, after she voted against all six measures ordered by the court in the case brought by South Africa.
Her country was quick to disavow its biased position towards Israel, as Uganda's representative to the United Nations, Adonia Ibare, said that "Judge Sibutende's decision at the International Court of Justice regarding Palestine does not represent our government."
Source: Al Jazeera + agencies